6 Places to Live Locally for a Month (Perfect for Couples Over 50)

Do you dream of spending a whole month somewhere new — not just rushing from one tourist site to another, but actually living like a local? For couples over 50, the idea of slowing down and immersing yourself in a single place is not only appealing, it’s practical.

Instead of living out of a suitcase, you get the chance to unpack, settle in, find a favourite café, learn a few local phrases, and maybe even feel part of a community.

We’ve picked six towns that are perfect for a month-long stay, places that are affordable, welcoming, and packed with culture. And because we’ve travelled to each of them, we can promise they’re not just “nice on paper” destinations. They’re spots where older travellers can truly feel at home.

We’ve also shared all of these in a YouTube video with clips and extra context. If you’d like to watch the video first, check it out below before diving into the details here.

Why Month-Long Stays Are Perfect for 50+ Travellers

Let’s start by taking a look at a few reasons why staying in one place for a month or more is a great option for those of us who have the time available for such experiences:

• You give yourself the time to settle in properly – no more living out of suitcases or constant packing/unpacking. You don’t have the added stress that comes with feeling so much of your travel time was wasted on moving between locations.
• You can easily find options that give you better value for money – think about discounted monthly accommodation rates, local shopping at markets vs short stay tourist prices.
• More focus on your health and comfort – have the time to establish daily or weekly routines, find local doctors, and settle into more comfortable living arrangements
• The time to experience deeper cultural immersion – the time to feel like a temporary local rather than a tourist. Get to know some of the locals and engage in real human interactions rather than just transactions.
• And a really big benefit, reduced travel stress – push back travel fatigue and enjoy your entire stay with no rushing between destinations, and plenty of time to adjust to the climate and time zones.

Let’s start in sunny Portugal, then we’ll hop across to Mexico, head down to the Andes, circle back for more colonial charm, chase the Spanish sun, and finish up on Vietnam’s dazzling central coast.

1. Portimão, Portugal – European Charm Without the Crowds

If you love the idea of Portugal’s sunshine but don’t want the hills and bustle of Lisbon or Porto, Portimão is the perfect fit. It’s a coastal town in the beautiful Algarve that combines relaxed beach life, fresh seafood, and easy access to the whole Algarve coastline.

Why Portimão is perfect for older travellers

• English is widely spoken, making day-to-day life simple.
• The Algarve climate means year-round appeal, especially in the shoulder seasons.
• Portugal has excellent healthcare and a strong expat community.
• Renting long-term in Portimão is affordable compared to most of Western Europe.
• Very flat and easy to explore on foot.

Easy short getaways from Portimão

• Lisbon and Sintra are just three hours away by train or car.
• Sagres and Cabo de São Vicente offer dramatic coastal scenery.
• Évora provides a taste of Roman and medieval history just inland.
• Tavira is a beautiful place to stay if you want a day at the beach.

Why we chose Portimão

• Familiar but still foreign: English widely spoken, easy day-to-day life.
• Shoulder season sweet spot: sunshine without the summer crush, better monthly rates.
• Coastal lifestyle: beach walks and stunning ocean cliffs, fresh seafood, relaxed pace that suits long stays.
• Practical comforts: excellent healthcare, low crime, strong expat community.

Could we stay for a whole month? Absolutely. Portimão offers all the charm of Portugal without the heavy crowds, and it makes an ideal base for exploring some of the most majestic coastlines in Europe.

If Portugal whets your appetite but you’d prefer somewhere warmer and even more budget-friendly, Mérida in Mexico is a brilliant alternative.

2. Mérida, Mexico – Culture and Warmth at a Slower Pace

This colonial city in the Yucatán Peninsula blends Spanish architecture, Mayan ruins, and a vibrant cultural scene, all with year-round tropical weather. And by tropical, we mean fajita plate hot!

Why Mérida is perfect for older travellers

• Consistently warm weather and a slower pace of life. Ideal for winding down after a lifetime of working.
• Regarded as one of the safest cities in Mexico.
• Affordable cost of living with excellent value in long-term rentals and dining.
• An incredible local food culture that will easily keep you satisfied for a month or longer.
• Very flat and easy to explore on foot.

Easy short getaways from Mérida

• Chichén Itzá and Uxmal for breathtaking Mayan ruins.
• Progreso for a quick beach getaway just 40 minutes away.
• Cenotes (natural swimming holes) for relaxing day trips.
• The unique yellow town of Izamal for a laid-back slice of Mexico life.

Why we chose Mérida

• Deep culture: art, music, and local traditions are part of daily life.
• Food lovers’ paradise: street food, bustling markets, and Yucatán specialities.
• Great value: very affordable compared to most long-stay destinations.
• Expat comfort: English is common in expat areas but still plenty of immersion in Mexican life.

Could we stay for a whole month? We did! Longer actually, and not once did we feel like our stay was too long. Mérida is like your grandma; it makes you feel comfortable, feeds you well, but you can get a bit hot with all the blankets she covers you with at night.

If Mérida’s festive spirit appeals, imagine a city with that same buzz but wrapped around ancient Inca stonework, our next stop might be just the place for you. We’re off to Cusco, Peru.

3. Cusco, Peru – The Ancient Heart of South America

Once the capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco blends stunning architecture, Andean culture, and breathtaking mountain views. It’s the gateway to Machu Picchu, but it’s also a fantastic city to linger in for weeks at a time.

Why it works for mature travellers

• While altitude may be an issue for the first day or two, staying a month allows time to properly acclimatise and fully enjoy the experience.
• Cusco itself is a UNESCO World Heritage site, packed with history, tradition, and interesting locals.
• Affordable monthly rentals in historic areas like San Blas offer colonial charm.
• Local markets and cooking classes give you cultural immersion at budget prices.

Easy short getaways from Cusco

• Machu Picchu via Aguas Calientes — best enjoyed with an overnight stay.
• The small town of Ollantaytambo and the Sacred Valley are ideal for walking through living Inca culture.
• Rainbow Mountain and Ausangate for incredible highland scenery.

Why we chose Cusco

• Culture and history: few cities can match the wonders on offer in Cusco.
• Strong value: great for long stays at a budget-friendly price.
• Accessible adventure: plenty of day trips without long treks.
• Local charm: friendly people and vibrant Andean markets.

Could we stay for a whole month? We’d love to! Cusco made us feel like we belonged from the moment we arrived. The town is somehow lively yet relaxed, and the culture and history combine to create a magic that you don’t want to leave behind.

Cusco’s mountains are magic, but what if you love that history and architecture without the altitude? That’s where Querétaro, Mexico, comes in.

4. Querétaro, Mexico – Colonial Beauty and Modern Comfort

Querétaro is a modern city but with a quaint, UNESCO-listed old town, leafy plazas, and beautiful baroque architecture. It’s less touristy than San Miguel de Allende but just as charming, and far more affordable for long-term stays.

Why Querétaro is perfect for older travellers

• Safe, walkable historic centre with plenty of pedestrian zones.
• Excellent healthcare and modern infrastructure.
• Less crowded than Mexico’s more famous colonial towns.
• Affordable cost of living with a relaxed pace of life, while still providing all of the facilities expected in a big city.

Short breaks from Querétaro

• San Miguel de Allende for some art and culture.
• Tequisquiapan for wine and cheese country, and great value spa treatments.
• Peña de Bernal, one of the world’s largest monoliths, for a gentle adventure in a town that looks like a movie set.

Why we chose Querétaro

• Authentic but accessible: fewer tourists but still easy to navigate.
• Great value: rentals, dining, and services are all affordable.
• Strategic base: Querétaro is well connected for further travel, with an International Airport and easy access to Mexico City.
• Lifestyle: plazas, cafés, and local festivals make for an enjoyable stay.

Could we stay for a whole month? Easily. With so much history in the town, and even more to see and do in the surrounding towns, Querétaro is one of the best places to experience the real Mexico. And real Mexico is something we feel everyone should experience at some time in their life.

Querétaro may give you a taste of Spanish style in Latin America, but nothing beats the real thing. Which brings us to the flamenco heart of Spain, Sevilla.

5. Sevilla, Spain – Andalusian Soul and Flamenco Passion

Sevilla is the heart of Andalusia, known for its flamenco, Moorish architecture, and lively atmosphere. It’s a city that knows how to celebrate life, but also how to slow down and enjoy the ride.

Why Sevilla is perfect for older travellers

• A flat, walkable city centre that’s easy to navigate.
• A rich cultural calendar, from Semana Santa to Feria de Abril.
• Excellent healthcare and transport connections.
• A slower pace of life compared to Madrid or Barcelona.
• Something interesting to see around every corner, and usually a nice cafe nearby where you can sit and admire the view.

Short breaks from Sevilla

• Córdoba to see the stunning Mezquita.
• Granada for the Alhambra and Sierra Nevada.
• The incredible and unique towns of Ronda and Setenil de las Bodegas.

Why we chose Sevilla

• Cultural richness: flamenco, food, and festivals bring the city to life.
• Accessibility: a walkable city that’s easy on the knees.
• Affordability: better value than Spain’s bigger cities.
• Atmosphere: Sevilla oozes romance and Andalusian charm.

Could we stay for a whole month? Probably! If there is one place in Spain that we would consider for a long stay, then this is it. But we struggled with the lifestyle right across Spain, especially with meal times, since they are so different than we are used to.

If Sevilla stirs your soul with rhythm and sunshine, then Vietnam’s central coast will surprise you with its energy and colour. Let’s head to Da Nang and nearby Hội An.

6. Da Nang and Hội An, Vietnam – Beaches, Lanterns, and a Relaxed Lifestyle

Da Nang offers a modern, beachside city with all the amenities, while Hội An, just 30 minutes away, is a preserved old town full of lantern-lit evenings and historic charm. Together, they make the perfect pairing for a long stay.

Why Da Nang and Hội An are perfect for older travellers

• Very affordable lifestyle with modern conveniences.
• Excellent healthcare and international hospitals in Da Nang.
• Warm climate and friendly local community.
• Easy to get around with affordable taxis and gentle walking in Hội An.

Short breaks from Da Nang and Hội An

• The Marble Mountains and My Khe Beach are right on the doorstep.
• Huế, the former imperial capital, is just a few hours away.
• The Hai Van Pass, one of the most scenic drives in Vietnam.

Why we chose Da Nang and Hội An

• Perfect balance: modern Da Nang facilities plus Hội An’s traditional charm.
• Food heaven: fresh seafood, Vietnamese street food, and cooking classes.
• Great value: accommodation, dining, and transport are budget-friendly.
• Scenic variety: beaches, mountains, rivers, and historic streets all close by.

Could we stay for a whole month? We are planning to do that within the next year. Hội An will be our base and we may slip over to Da Nang for a night or two, but this will be about connecting with the traditional life of the locals.

Da Nang and Hoi An make a brilliant pairing: comfort when you need it, cultural depth when you want it, and some of the best food in Asia.

Embracing the Freedom of Slow Travel

From the Algarve’s laid-back beaches to the colonial streets of Mexico, the heights of the Andes, Spain’s fiery soul, and Vietnam’s vibrant coast, these six towns each bring their own rhythm to the idea of living locally.

What they all share is affordability, walkability, and that sweet spot between being foreign enough to feel exciting but comfortable enough to stay for a whole month without stress.

Whether you’re dreaming of tapas in Sevilla, morning markets in Hoi An, or a seaside stroll in Portimão, each of these places offers a chance to slow down, soak it all in, and make your travels about more than just sightseeing.

And if you’d like to see what life in these towns looks like, not just read about it, check out the video version on our YouTube channel. We share more photos, some stories, and a few extra bits you won’t find here.